Exclusive - McGuigan: Hatton can return to the highest stage

Barry McGuigan believes Ricky Hatton can return to the very highest stage – but only if he takes his comeback seriously.

The former WBA welterweight champion is set to step back into the ring after a three-year absence and many are worried about the 33-year-old’s condition, following years of weight gain and loss ahead of fights, but former ring star, now trainer, McGuigan claims Hatton knows how to prepare for bouts.

“He was an exceptional fighter,” the Irishman told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. “He was only beaten by two exceptional fighters in Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

“He’s only 33, who knows what he’s got left? We don’t know if he still has the same sharpness, if he’ll be the same Ricky Hatton.

“The bottom line is that he still knows what he’s doing, he’s fought 45 times before. He knows how to get ready for a fight. He’s also wise enough to know not to pick someone too difficult to shed the ring rust in his first fight.”

Paulie Malignaggi, who Hatton knocked out in 2008, has since gone on to take the WBC welterweight title and McGuigan claims the Manchester-born boxer would still be a match for the American.

He added: “If Paulie Malignaggi, who Ricky beat up and knocked out within 12 rounds, can win the world welterweight title then surely Hatton has a chance of getting back to that position, given time.”